Cost Recovery

AquAeTer was retained by this client to perform a comprehensive sediment sampling and analyses to determine the cause(s) and timing of releases of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) a controversial pesticide and its metabolites. As well as, Lindane and its isomers, and arsenic from a former manufacturing facility. A multi-phased plan, involving sampling and analysis of sediments, followed by mixing with fly-ash, leaching, and then reanalysis of the sediments and leachate, was performed to confirm that while the concentrations of the constituents of concern were quite low in the leachate from unstabilized and/or stabilized sediments, the concentrations in the sediments themselves were actually much higher. Concentrations of total DDT as high as 200,000 ug/kg were identified in sediment cores. Further sampling at the highest concentration location produced a homogeneous sediment sample with a total average DDT concentration of 32,000 ug/kg. Chemical and physical fingerprinting approaches were used to confirm and trace the releases.

AquAeTer provided the following services to its client for this sampling and reporting project:

• Development of comprehensive health & safety and sampling & analyses plans
• Core sampling of surface sediments
• Sediment processing and stabilization
• Sediment testing using Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and Synthetic
• Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP) Analyses
• Laboratory data validation
• Evaluation of sediment transport fingerprinting alternatives including metal concentration, radiological analyses and electron microscopic examination methods